Happy New Year -- CouponShack.com Shares Money Saving Resolutions That Are Easy to Keep

CHARLOTTE, NC--(Marketwire - December 29, 2009) - Are you looking for ways to save money in the new year? CouponShack.com, the leading coupon site that helps consumers save money and get the best deals at their favorite stores, is revealing several practical money-saving New Year's resolutions that will be sure to help you stretch your dollar further in 2010. After a busy holiday season where CouponShack.com saw a 50 percent increase in traffic, the site is predicting that sales will continue through the gift card season (post Christmas through January). Some of the most attractive deals currently are in the travel, technology and fitness categories.

Gift Cards

For those who received gift cards, CouponShack.com recommends they check the terms and expiration dates for each card. If you have a remaining balance on a card or are holding onto a card you won't use, you can often get up to 90 percent of face value on sites like eBay. Also, check for additional stores or online sites that may accept the gift card.

"If you have a gift card from a store where you don't typically shop, check to see if you can use the card at any of the retailer's sister stores. For example if you get an Old Navy card, you can use it at Banana Republic, Gap, Piperlime, or Athleta," advises Sok Verdery, CEO of CouponShack.com. "You should also watch for upcoming holidays for sales like New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Valentine's Day, and even President's Day. These are all great occasions to find a good sale and use that gift card. And don't forget you can still use coupons with gift cards."

Seven Money-Saving Resolutions for the 2010 New Year

1. Save on gym costs. Workout at home. If you can afford the upfront cost of a home gym it will save you a lot of money down the road versus a gym membership. Price compare and look for deals on older models of exercise equipment. Check out places like Workout Warehouse for great deals on top brands like Proform, NordicTrack and Bowflex. Be patient and wait for a coupon to be offered from these sites.

2. Save on weight loss. Do it online. One of the most popular weight loss programs around is Weight Watchers. Did you know that you can participate in the program online? By doing so, you can save 25 percent versus their regular program.

3. Save on energy. Become more energy efficient. CouponShack has dedicated a whole section of its site on ways to be more energy efficient. Just check out the Go Green section for helpful tips on saving money and becoming more energy efficient.

4. Save on insurance. Review your Insurance Policies. Now is the best time to look at all your insurance policies. If you have too much coverage, scale it back. If you haven't combined your insurance policies, try doing so as many insurance companies offer a discount for this. If it makes sense, raise your deductible. Be sure to shop around. See if you're really getting the best deal and remember to insure for rebuilding costs, not simply the price of your home (there could be a difference). Finally, check out sites like InsureMe where you can get a free insurance quote from multiple providers.

5. Save on your expenses. Manage your personal finance. Check out some of the free tools offered by Quicken. This company recently acquired Mint.com which offers tons of free personal finance tools. Buy the full version and it integrates seamlessly with TurboTax.

6. Save on tax preparation and filings. Do it yourself. If you can, try doing your taxes yourself this year. Sites like TurboTax and H&R Block really make it easy to do it yourself. And as a bonus, if it's a simple return, TurboTax will do it for free.

7. Save on purchases. Become a coupon clicker. Make a habit of looking for coupons first before making a purchase. Even if you already use coupons to some degree, take a moment and re-evaluate your savings strategy. Monitor your favorite stores or brands for coupons. Pull the trigger on the purchase when a coupon is available. If you don't have a CouponShack.com account, sign up for one and let us monitor the coupons and deals for you.

About CouponShack.com

CouponShack.com is the leading coupon site that helps consumers save money and get the best deals at their favorite stores. Our site finds and compares discounts letting you get what you want, when you want it. Our coupons and codes are easy to find -- you can search by store, brand, category, or product. You also get the most personalized saving service with custom alerts and coupon codes, preferred stores and an online Coupon Wallet to keep and manage your deals. Our growing community of savers constantly provides updated recommendations, feedback and tips showcasing new ways to save. A stop at CouponShack.com before you shop lets you get the most for your money and your life and can save you hundreds of dollars along the way.

Contact Information: Contact: Kathleen Gratehouse Borders + Gratehouse 415/963-4174 ext. 2 kathleen@bordersgratehouse.com